Lever action firearm



June 11, 1963 L. w. SEECAMP 3,

LEVER ACTION FIREARM Filed Nov. 22, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. LOU/3 I'V- SEECAMP All; ATTORNEYS June 11, 1963 L. w. SEECAMP LEVER ACTION FIREARM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 22. 1961 0. M 3 m w N& N 6 R 8 ow m NF 1m VF A 1 W H. m Km wiw ST N n X m Qm June 11, 1963 w. SEECAMP 3,

LEVER ACTION FIREARM Filed NOV. 22, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. L U/5 14/. SEEcAMP MKM 5/: Arm/wa s June 11, 1963 w. SEECAMP LEVER ACTION FIREARM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 22, 1961 Mil/M foei 8 $1 13 ATTORNEYS June 11, 1963 w. SEECAMP LEVER ACTION FIREARM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 22, 1961 INVENTOR. Lou/s WSEECAMP ATTORNEYS United States Patent Patented June 11, 1963 3,092,924 LEVER ACTIGN FTREARM Louis W. Seecamp, 385 Orange St., New Haven, Conn. Filed Nov. 22, 1961, Ser. No. 154,214 1!) Claims. (Cl. 42-22) The invention relates to lever type actions for firearms in which a pivotally movable finger lever at the underside of the firearm serves to actuate the bolt during the chambering and ejection of the cartridges.

This type of action was one of the first developed for the modern repeating rifle and because it can be operated faster than bolt type actions is favored by many shooters. However, prior known lever actions have not been completely satisfactory in that they have been complicated, relatively weak in strength, uneven in action and expensive to manufacture. Some prior known lever actions have, in addition, had a large hammer fall and, hence, .a slow lock time.

The present invention has for its object the provision of a lever action for firearms that will not be subject to the disadvantages noted above. Specifically, the invention has for its object the provision of a lever action for firearms that is strong, yet smooth in action and one that has a short lock time. Another object of the invention is the provision of a lever action for firearms that will be simple and that will have few parts. Still another object of the invention is to provide a lever action for firearms so constructed as to minimize the height of the receiver in which it is housed.

Briefly, and in general, the present invention comprises a lever action in which the bolt actuating mechanism comprises just two parts: a finger lever pivotally connected to the frame of the gun and a bolt operating member that interconnects the finger lever and the bolt. The manner in which the bolt operating member is connected to the finger lever and to the bolt constitutes one important aspect of the invention as does the fact that the operating member is, at one point, slidably engaged with a side plate of the receiver, or frame, of the firearm.

The bolt operating member is pivotally connected to the finger lever by means of correspondingly shaped internesting hook portions. An arcuately shaped arm having a generally circular shaped terminus forms the hook portion of the bolt operating member. A substantially annular finger-like extension is formed on the finger lever and the inner surface of the annular finger is substantially circular so as to receive the circular terminus on the bolt operating member. As a result of this arrangement the bolt operating member and the finger lever are joined together so as to permit relative pivotal movement about the axis of said circular terminus. This pivotal coupling of the parts is very strong and has the additional advantage of permitting both the bolt operating member and the finger lever to be disposed in the some vertical plane.

Additionally, the bolt operating member is slidably and pivotally connected to the bolt. A substantially vertical slot is provided in the rearward portion of the bolt and a laterally extending pin at the forward end of the bolt operating member extends inwardly of the slot and couples the member to the bolt. By reason of this pin and slot arrangement the bolt operating member is enabled to both pivot and slide relative to the bolt during the bolt operating strokes.

The bolt operating member is also provided with a second arm-like portion which extends downwardly toward the finger lever. The shape of the arm-like portion is preferably arcuate and the arm is positioned so that one arcuate side surface engages the outer arcuate surface on the annular hook portion of the finger lever, thereby strengthening the connection between the finger lever and the operating member.

Adjacent its terminal end the arm is provided with a laterally-extending pin that is received within a groove in one of the receiver side plates. Location and disposition of the groove is such that during pivotal movement of the bolt operating member about the pivot point of the finger lever, the bolt operating member is pivoted about its point of connection with the finger lever. Preferably, the groove in the receiver extends generally longitudinally of the firearm in a direction corresponding, more or less, to the direction of movement of the bolt and is disposed between the pivot point of the finger lever with the receiver and the pivot point of the finger lever with the bolt operating member. As aresult of this construction arcuate travel of the bolt operating member in response to the pivoting of the finger lever about its pivotal connection with the frame, causes the bolt operating member to both slide and pivot relative to the side plate of the frame. This pivotal movement of the bolt operating member serves to flatten the path of travel of the forward end of the member, and to increase the longitudinal stroke of the bolt and the force applied to the bolt by the bolt operating member.

Another important aspect of the invention is that the hammer is carried by the finger lever at its forward end. In this position, the hammer is disposed closely adjacent the firing pin. The hammer fall, and hence the lock time of the firing mechanism, is accordingly small.

Cooking of the hammer occurs on the downward stroke of the finger lever. The hammer is pivotably mounted on the finger lever and has a laterally extending pin offset from the hammers pivot point. A cam slot is formed in the receiver side plate and the pin on the hammer extends into the slot. As the finger lever pivots downwardly, the pin on the hammer engages the camming surface of the slot and pivots the hammer relative to the finger lever into a cocked position.

For the purpose of illustrating one manner in which the invention may be made and used a presently preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings. This preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail hereinafter. However, it is to be understood that the drawings and the description set forth herein are by way of example only and do not serve to limit or define the scope of the invention. The claims appended hereto are relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a fireiarm equipped with the invention showing the pants of the action at the moment the cartridge is fired;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the bolt operating mechanism, the firing mechanism and the safety mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side view of the firearm, partly in section, with the finger lever in the open, cocked position and showing the hammer cocking earn opening in the receiver side plate;

FIG 4. is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the firing mechanism in a cocked position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the opposite side of the firearm;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the firearm showing the bolt retracted and a new cartridge about to be inserted into the chamber;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 7--7 in FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the bolt operating mechanism in the fully retracted position;

FIG. 9 is a partial side view of the firearm showing the manner of disassembling the action of the gun; and

PI. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the finger lever and its parts, the bolt operating member, the hammer, trigger and trigger stop, and the removable side plates or" the receiver.

in the drawings there is shown a lever action rifle constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention. As is best seen in FIG. 1, the rifle shown generally comprises a front stock 10, a barrel 12 that is secured to the stock, a receiver or frame 14 to which the barrel is also secured by means of the threaded end portion 16, a clip magazine 13 for holding a supply of cartridges 20 for the rifle, and a rear stock 22 that is secured to the receiver or frame by the threaded screw 24. The rifle also has a bolt 26 for chambering and ejecting the cartridges from the firing chamber 28 in the barrel 12, a firing pin 30 disposed within the bolt and slidably movable with respect thereto, a hammer 32 and a trigger 34, as well as a bolt operating mechanism made up of a bolt operating member 3-6 and an actuating finger lever 38. A safety mechanism is also provided and comprises a sliding thumb button 40 at the top of the receiver, a catch 42 that depends from the thumb button and a pivotable trigger stop 44 that is engaged by the catch upon appropriate movement of the thumb button.

FIG. 1 shows the relative positions of the various parts of the rifle at the moment a bullet 46 is fired from the cartridge 21 in the chamber 28. The cartridge 21 has been locked into the chamber by rotation of the bolt 26. Rotation of the bolt 26 moves the locking lugs 48, 48 on the front end of the bolt in behind corresponding stationary lugs 50, 50 on the receiver 14 so as to lock the bolt and cartridge case against any rearward movement during the firing of the cartridge.

Ejection of the cartridge 21 and the chambering of the next cartridge 20 in the clip magazine '18 is effected by a reciprocable pivoting of the finger lever 38. The finger lever is pivotally mounted on a pin 52 that is disposed between two removable side plates 54, 55 f the receiver (see FIGS. 8 and 9). As is customary, the finger lever 38 is formed in two portions, a forward portion 56 and rearward portion 57, each of which has an opening 58, 59 respectively. The forward portion 56, defining the opening 58, serves as a trigger guard while the curved rear ward portion 57 and opening 59 serve to accommodate the last three fingers of the shooters trigger hand.

The finger lever 38 is normally maintained in its uppermost position against the underside of the rear stock 22 by a hooked detent member 60 that extends through a slot 62 in the lever 38 to engage a cross pin 64 fixed between the removable side plates 54, 55 of the receiver 14. The detent is pivotally mounted on a small pin 66 set in the center section 69 of the finger lever 38 between the openings 58 and S9. A small spring 70 below the detent member 60 constantly urges the detent upwardly so as to bring the hook 72 at the end of the detent 69 into engagement with the notch 74 cut into the cross pin 64.

As will be seen by reference to FIG. 10, the finger lever 38 is provided with an integral upper portion 76 that extends upwardly into the receiver 14 when the finger lever is in its normal retracted position. At its torward end the upper portion 76 is provided with a curved book 78 so formed as to define with the upper part 76 a generally circular recess or opening 80. The opening '80 is not completely circular but is so shaped as to receive a correspondingly substantially circularly shaped terminal hook portion 82 tormed at the end of a curved arm-like portion 83 on the bolt operating member 36. Inasmuch as the recess 80 encompasses the hook portion 82 for more than 180 degrees, withdrawal of the circular terminus of the hook $2 from the recess is prevented and the bolt operating member and the finger lever are eiiectively and pivotably coupled together.

The bolt operating member 36 is also provided with a second curved arm-like portion 86 that extends downwardly to engage the upper portion 76 of the finger lever 3'8 The curve of the inner sunfiace 88 of this second arm 86 closely corresponds. to the curve of the outer surface 4 90 of the hook 78 on the finger lever so that the hook portions 78, 82 on the finger lever and on the bolt operating member closely internest one within the other.

The bolt 26 comprises a bolt cylinder 92 and a block 94 in which the cylinder is mounted. At its rearward end the bolt 26 is joined to the forward end of the bolt operating member 36 and for this purpose the block 94 is provided with a rearwardly extending flange 96 with a vertical slot 93 formed therein. A laterally extending pin 100 is fixed to the bolt operating member 36 and extends into the slot 98 so as to be slidably retained thereby.

The bolt block 94 is adapted to be slidably movable relative to the bolt cylinder 92 and a spring (not shown) mounted internally of the bolt constantly urges the block rearwardly of the cylinder. The bolt block 94 is formed with a slot 102 in one side and a pin 104 on the cylinder 92 inside the block extends into the slot 10-2. During the chamber-ing stroke of the bolt 26, and after the front end of the bolt cylinder 92 has come in contact with the end of the barrel 12, further forward movement of the block 94 compresses the internal spring and causes the pin 104 and slot 102 to rotate the cylinder 92 relative to the block 94. This rotation of the cylinder 92 moves the locking lugs 48, 48 at the front of the cylinder behind the holding lugs 50, 50 on the receiver 14.

Downward movement of the finger lever 38 by the shooter pivots the lever forwardly about the pin 52. This movement also pivots the upper portion 76 of the lever, as well as the bolt operating member 36, rearwardly about the pin 52. As the bolt operating member 36 moves rearwardly it begins to retract the bolt block 94. Since the bolt cylinder 92 is held in battery position by the lugs 50, 50 on the receiver 14 the bolt cylinder 92 does not retract with the block 94 and the rearward movement of the block 94 relative to the cylinder 92 causes the pin 104- on the cylinder and the slot 102 in the block to rotate the cylinder 92. This rotation of the cylinder moves the locking lugs 48, 48 out from behind the holding lugs 50, 50 on the receiver. Further rearward movement of the block 94 will now also move the cylinder 92 rearwardly and the extractors 106, 106 in the cartridge-receiving recess 108 at the front of the bolt 26 will draw the fired cartridge case 21 from the rifle chamber 28. When the bolt 26 has been sufiiciently retracted, the spent cartridge case 21 is ejected out the side ejection port 110 and the next cartridge 20 from the magazine 18 is raised into position by the magazine spring 112.

The bolt operating member 36 is provided with a laterally extending pin 114 adjacent the end of the second arm 86. The pin 114 extends into a slot 116 formed in the removable side plate 54 of the receiver 14 at the right side of the gun. As shown, the slot 116 is straight and extends longitudinally in a direction generally parallel to the direction of movement of the bolt (see FIGS. 5 and 6). However, the shape and direction of the slot are not critical and may be varied as desired. It is only essential that the slot 116 be so disposed as to cause the bolt operating member 36 to pivot rearwardly about the axis of the circular terminal end portion 82 as the member 36 and upper part 76 of the finger lever 38 pivot about the pin 52. Inasmuch as the straight slot 116 prevents the laterally extending pin 114 on the second arm 86 from following the same arcuate path as the circular terminus 82 the bolt operating member must pivot rearwardly about the circular terminus to compensate. This rearward pivoting of the member 36 relative to the finger lever 38 serves to flatten the path taken by the laterally extending pin 100 that engages the bolt 26, extends the rearward travel of the bolt and increases the force developed by the action.

As will be best seen in FIG. 2 the hammer 32 is pivotally mounted on a pin 118 secured to the upper portion 76 of the finger lever 38. The hammer 32 is biased toward the forward, or firing, position by a coil spring 120. One end of the spring 120 is retained by the flange 122 of a pin-like retainer 124. The opposite end of the spring 120 is retained by a recess 126 in a cup 128. One end 130' of the pin-like retainer 124 is ball-shaped and is received in a spherically shaped recess 132 at the back of the hammer (FIG. The bottom of the cup-like retainer 128 has a semi-circular recess 134 formed therein so that the recess rests closely against the outer circumference of a stop 136 fixed to the upper part 76 of the finger lever. As a result of this manner of mounting, the spring 120 is permitted to slightly pivot about the stop 136 during the cocking and release of the hammer 32.

Cooking of the hammer 32 occurs during the retraction of the bolt 26 on the forward stroke of the finger lever 38. The position of the hammer 32 after firing is shown in phantom outline 138 in FIG. 4. A laterally extending pin 140 is fixed to the lower end 142 of the hammer 32 and extends into a cam slot 144 formed in the removable side plate 55 of the receiver at the left side of the gun. As the finger lever 38 is pivoted downwardly the hammer 32 is carried backwardly and downwardly with the upper portion 76 of the finger lever. The cam surface 146 of the slot 144 prevents the pin 140 from following this path (FIG. 3) and pivots the hammer 32 backwardly with respect to the upper part 76 of the finger lever against the force of the spring 120 until the rearward portion 150* of the hammer passes below the point 148 of the trigger 34 (see FIG. 2). The face of the point 148 of the trigger 34 engages the face of the rearward portion 150 of the hammer 32 to lock the hammer in a cocked condition.

The trigger 34 is pivotally mounted on a lateral pin 152 secured in the upper part 76 of the finger lever. The trigger stop 44 is also pivotally mounted on another lateral pin 154 secured in the upper part 76 of the finger lever 38. The stop 44 has a flat surface 156 at its lower end and is so positioned that the surface 156 may, upon clockwise pivotal movement of stop 44 (as seen in FIG. 1), be brought into engagement with a corresponding flat surface 158 on the trigger 34 (see FIG. 2). A spring 160 is positioned between the flat surface 158 on the trigger and a projection 162 on the stop 44 and serves to constantly bias the stop toward the clockwise direction. This spring 160 also serves as a trigger spring.

To actuate the safety mechanism, locking detent 164 on the safety thumb lever 40 is first depressed and then the thumb lever and catch 42 are laterally moved rearwardly. Lateral rearward movement of the catch 42 brings the recess 166 formed in the lower portion of the catch into engagement with the head 168 of the stop 44. Further rearward movement of the thumb lever 40 pivots the stop 44 clockwise into register with the trigger 34.

During the rearward and upward return stroke of the finger lever 33, the bolt 26 is moved forwardly to seat the cartridge 20 in the chamber. Relative movement of the block 94 forwardly with respect to the cylinder 92 rotates the cylinder and locks up the bolt in battery position. Forward movement of the safety thumb lever 40 brings the head 168 of the trigger stop 44 into contact with the surface 170 on the catch 42 and pivots the stop 44 counterclockwise out of engagement with the trigger 34. A rearward pull on the trigger 34 will then release the hammer 32 from the restraint of the trigger point 148. The hammer 32 will then pivot forwardly and strike the firing pin 30 which, in turn, will fire the cartridge.

It will be seen from FIGS. 7 and 9 that the action may be quickly disassembled from the rifle, The bolt operating mechanism and firing mechanism are both mounted between the two removable side plates '54, 55 of the receiver 14. Each of the side plates has a notch 172, 172 at its forward end that fits over a pin 174 disposed between the stationary side walls 176, 176 of the receiver 14. A spring loaded detent is provided at the rear of the removable side plates 54, 55 and cornprises a hollow pin 180 in which are mounted a neckeddown detent 178 and a spring 182 that urges the detent outwardly of the pin 174. Normally, the detent 178 extends into an opening 184 in the stationary side wall of the receiver but when the detent 178 is pushed inwardly of the opening 184, the finger lever 38, bolt operating member 36, hammer 32, trigger 34 and stop 44 may be withdrawn from the receiver.

Similarly, the rearward portion of the top of the receiver 14 is made in a separate piece 186. The piece 186 carries the safety thumb lever 40 and is held in the receiver at its front end by a tongue 188 which fits into a notch 190 in the receiver 14. A necked-down detent pin 192 that is urged by a spring 194 into an opening 1% in the stationary side wall 176 of the receiver retains the rearward end of the piece 186. By simply releasing the detent 192, the safety lever 40 and catch 42 may be removed. Thereafter the bolt 26 may be withdrawn from the receiver through the opening left by the removal of the piece 186.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lever action firearm, the combination of a reciprocable bolt for inserting and extracting cartridges from the chamber of the firearm, a frame having a pair of spaced side plates, a manually operable finger lever pivotally connected to the frame, and a bolt operating member pivotally connected to the finger lever and slidably coupled to said bolt, said bolt operating member also being slidably engaged with one of said side plates whereby pivotal movement of said finger lever causes said bolt operating member to pivot with respect to the finger lever as the member slides relative to said side late. p 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein one of said side plates has a slot disposed so as to extend generally in the direction of movement of said reciprocable bolt and wherein said bolt operating member is provided with a laterally extending pin that fits within said slot.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said slot is positioned between the pivotal connection of the bolt operating member and the finger lever when said finger lever and operating member are disposed in their boltlocking positions and the pivot point of the finger lever with the frame.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said bolt is provided with a slot disposed generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said bolt and said bolt operating member is provided with a laterally extending pin that fits within said slot.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the pivotal connection between the finger lever and the bolt operating member comprises correspondingly shaped internesting hook portions on said finger lever and said bolt operating member.

6. In a lever action firearm, the combination comprising a reciprocable bolt for inserting and extracting cartridges from the chamber of the firearm, a frame having a pair of spaced side plates, a manually operable finger lever pivotally connected to the frame at a point adjacent one end of the lever, and a bolt operating member pivotally connected to the finger lever and slidably coupled to said bolt, said bolt operating member at one point also being slidably engaged with one of said side plates whereby pivotal movement of said finger lever causes said operating member to pivot with respect to the finger lever as the member slides relative to said side plate, the pivotal connection between said bolt operating member and finger lever comprising correspondingly shaped internesting hook portions on said finger lever and bolt operating member.

7. In a lever action firearm, the combination of a reciprocable bolt for inserting and extracting cartridges from the chamber of the firearm, a frame having a pair of spaced side plates, a manually operable finger lever pivotally connected to the frame at a point adjacent one end of the lever, a bolt operating member pivotally connected to the finger lever and slidably coupled to the bolt, and a hammer pivotally mounted on the finger lever ,so as to be carried thereby, said hammer also engaging one of said side plates whereby pivotal movement of the .finger lever pivots the hammer relative to the finger lever into a cocked position. v

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein one of said .side plates is provided with a cam slot and said hammer has a laterally extending pin that extends Within said cam slot.

9. In a lever action firearms, the combination of a reciproca'ble bolt for inserting and extracting cartridges from the chamber of the firearm, a frame having a pair .of spaced side plates, a manually operable finger lever pivotally connected to the frame, a bolt operating member pivotally connected to the finger lever and slidably coupled to the bolt, a slot disposed in one of the side plates, a laterally extending pin on the bolt operating member extending into the slot in the side wall, a hammer pivotally mounted on the finger lever, a cam slot formed in the other of said side plates, and a laterally extending pin on the hammer extending into said cam slot.

10. In a lever action firearm, the combination of a 'frame having a pair of spaced side plates, a finger lever the cam slot and to pivot the hammer relative to the finger lever into a cocking position.

No references cited. 

9. IN A LEVER ACTION FIREARMS, THE COMBINATION OF A RECIPROCABLE BOLT FOR INSERTING AND EXTRACTING CARTRIDGES FROM THE CHAMBER OF THE FIREARM, A FRAME HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED SIDE PLATES, A MANUALLY OPERABLE FINGER LEVER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE FRAME, A BOLT OPERATING MEMBER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE FINGER LEVER AND SLIDABLY COUPLED TO THE BOLT, A SLOT DISPOSED IN ONE OF THE SIDE PLATES, A LATERALLY EXTENDING PIN ON THE BOLT OPERATING MEMBER EXTENDING INTO THE SLOT IN THE SIDE WALL, A HAMMER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON THE FINGER LEVER, A CAM SLOT FORMED IN THE OTHER OF SAID SIDE PLATES, AND A LATERALLY EXTENDING PIN ON THE HAMMER EXTENDING INTO SAID CAM SLOT. 